Gage mechanism for plate-trimming machines.



B. S. REDD.

GAGE MECHANISM FOR PLATE TRIMMING MACHINES.

APPLIOATIONPILED DEG.23, 1910.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOH.

A'rr'rs.

WITNESSES.

B. S. REDD.

GAGE MECHANISM FOR PLATE TRIMMING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23, 1910.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lNVE/VTUR.

WITNESSES. Q W

TATES ATINT UFFICE.

BENOIST S. REDD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO B. HOE AND 00., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan 27, 1914;.

Application filed December 23, 1910. Serial No. 599,024.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, BENOIST S. Reno, a citizen of the United States, residing at- New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gage Mechanism for Plate-Trimming Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying draw ings. forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to certain improve ients in gage mechanism for plate trimming machines.

Machines for trimming printing plates, such, for instance, as electro-type plates, as now usually constructed, embodying a cutting mechanism having two sets of cutters, one set of cutters being employed to trim or square the edges of the plates, and the other set being employed to bevel the edges of the plates. Such machines, also, include a plate support, the construction being such that the relative position of the plate support and cutting mechanism may be varied, so that either setof cutters may be brought into operation. Such machines further embody a movable gage set to indicate the proper position upon the support of the plate to be operated upon, the gage employed being usually of such a character that when properly set and moved into position it will coincide with a predetermined indication on the surface of the plate, such, for instance, as the edge of the type or rule mark. In such machines, the gage requires to be reset after a truing operation by either set of cutters and prior to the trimming by the other set for, if the operator fails to reset his gage, it may happen that the plate will be improperly positioned for the set of cutters which is to operate upon it.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved plate trimming machine which embodies a cutting mechanism having a plurality of sets of cutters, a plate support and a gage which can be set to properly indicate the position of the plate, said machine having an automatic resetting mechanism for the gage, so that after the gage has been properly set for one set of cutters, a change in the relation of the cutting mechanism and plate support to bring another set of cutters into operation will cause the gage to be automatically reset.

A further object of the invention is to produce an improved plate trimming machine having the two sets of cutters, a plate support, and a gage, and an automatic resetting mechanism for the gage of such a character that the resetting operation may be effectively carried out when the machine is required to operate upon plates of varying thickness.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and in certain parts, improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Fignre 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of so much of a trimming machine constructed in accordance with the invention as is necessary to an understanding thereof. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the machine which has been selected to illustrate a concrete embodiment of the invention, 1 indicates a plate support, this plate support being constructed to recipro cate on ways, as 2. only one of these ways being shown. This support, its operating means, the means by which the plate is clamped thereto, and other similar details of its construction are well-known to those skilled in the art, and as they do not constitute a part of the present invention, are not illustrated or described. It will, of course, be understood that the construction of the plate support will be varied in accordance with the type of machine selected to carry the invention into effect.

The cutting mechanism employed in carrying the invention into effect may be widely varied as to the details of its construction. In the particular machine illustrated, a cutter head, as 3, is provided mounted on a central spindle or operating shaft 4, the cutter head being provided with two sets of cutters, as 5, 6. In the construction shown, the cutters 5 are squaring cutters and the cutters 6 are beveling cutters.

Constructions embodying the invention will include means for varying the relative position of the plate support and the cutting mechanism, so that either set of cutters may be brought into operative position. In the. machine illustrated, the relative position properly act upon it.

of the cutting mechanism and the plate support or table is varied by moving the cutter head. The particular means employed for shifting the position of the cut ting mechanism, when the relation between the cutting mechanism and the plate support is varied by moving the cutting mechanism, may be varied within wide limits. As shown, the spindle 1 of the cutter head is contained within sleeve 7 which is vertically movable through a hub 8 formed integral with a plate 9 resting on an extension 10 of the machine frame. The particular shifting mechanism shown includes an actuator in the form of a lever 11. This actuator is mounted on a shaft 12 suitably supported in the machine frame, the shaft having thereon a segment 13 meshing with rack teeth 14 formed on the sleeve. The actuator may carry a pivoted locking pawl 15, the operative nose 16 of which engages 1n notches 17 of a locking plate 18 fast on the frame, so that the actuator may be securely held with either set of cutters in operative position.

It may be stated that the mechamsm so far described, at least so far as the general principles of construction are con-- cerned, is well-known in the art and any other suitable mechanism may be substituted therefor.

Constructions embodying the invention will include a gage, the purpose of which is to enable the operator to ascertain whether the plate is in such position on the plate support that the cutting mechanism may The construction of the gage employed may be varied within 'wide limits. In the construction selected to illustrate the invention, the gage comprises a blade, as 19, provided with extensions 20 by which it is pivoted, as by screws 21, to uprights 22 011 a gage carrying slide 23, this slide 23 moving on ways 24 supported on a bracket 25 bolted to the machine frame.

Means which may be varied in construction will be provided for adjusting the position of the gage. In the construction shown, the slide 23 is provided with an internally threaded boss 26 engaged by a screw 27 having a knurled head 28 provided with a hub 29. It is apparent that by turning the screw, which is prevented from longitudinal movement by means which will be herein-- after described, the gage may be moved toward and away from the plate support and thus set to indicate the position which the plate should have when secured to the plate support.

Means will be provided for automatically resetting the gage as the relative position of the cutting mechanism and the plate support is varied'to bring one or the other set of cutters into operative position. The means employed for thus automatically resetting the gage may be widely varied in construction. In the best constructions, however, embodying the invention, these automatic resetting means will include a resetter which may consist of an arm, as 30, fast on a shaft 31 supported in bearings 32, 33 formed in suitable supporting brackets. The shaft 31 is provided with an arm 34L engaging a pin 35 formed on a sleeve 36 embracing the screw 27 before referred to, this sleeve being held between the hub 29 of the hand wheel and a collar 87 formed on the screw.

The resetter, whatever be its construction, will in the best constructions embodying the invention, be operated from the shifting means by which the relative position of the cutting mechanism and the plate support is varied. In the particular construction illustrated, the hub of the actuator arm 11 is provided with a short arm 38 to which is pivoted, at 39, a link 40, the other end of this link being connected to the resetting arm. It is apparent that with the construction described, when the actuator is operated to shift the position of the cutter head, the resetting arm will also be operated and, through the connections described, will ef feet a longitudinal movement of the screw 27 This longitudinal movement of the screw 27 will move the slide which carries the gage blade, thus changing the position of the blade with respect to a plate mounted on the plate support.

In the best constructions embodying the invention, the resetting mechanism will be of such a character that the movement of the resetter may be varied for varying thicknesses of plate on the plate support. Vhile this may be effected in various ways, in the particular construction illustrated, it is accomplished by attaching the connections between the actuator and the resetter at points along the resetting arm at varying distances from the center of movement of said arm. In the particular construction illustrated the resetting arm 30 is provided with an arc-shaped slot 41 and the link 40 is connected to the slot by means of a screw 42 and a wing nut 43. In the particular construction illustrated, the are on which the slot 11 is formed is struck from a center which coincides with the center of the pivot 39 on which the link 40 is mounted when the cutting mechanism is in such position that the cutters 5 are in operative relation with the plate support. This construction enables the point of connect-ion of the link 40 with the resetter arm to be shifted so that the movement of the resetter arm will vary for difi'erent thicknesses of plates on the plate support, and, further, enables this shift to be made without disturbing the posi-' tion of the resetting mechanism, provided the cutting mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. l of the drawings,ithat is,

when the cutters 5 are in operative relation with respect to the support.

The resetter blade 19 may be provided with a handle as ll, by which the blade may be turned on its pivots when desired. The resetter arm may be provided with graduating marks, as shown in Fig. '2, which correspond to the varying thicknesses of plate ordinarily employed. Graduating marks may also be provided on the threaded hub 23 to guide the operator in the setting operations effected by turning the screw 27.

Changes and variations within the scope of the appended claims may be made in the construction by which the invention is car ried into effect. The invention claimed, therefore, is not to be confined to the particular construction herein shown and described.

lVhat is claimed is 1. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutting mechanism includ ing a plurality of sets of cutters, of a plate support, means for varying the relative position of the plate support and cutting mechanism to enable a set. of cutters to operate on a plate, a gage, means for setting the gage so that the plate may be properly positioned to be operated upon by one set of cutters, and means controlled by an element of the machine for automatically resetting the gage as the relative position of the cutting mechanism and plate support is varied to bring another set of cutters into operative position.

2. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutting mechanism including a plurality of sets of cutters, of a plate support, means for varying the relative position of the support and cutting mechanism to enable a set of cutters to operate on a plate, a gage, means for setting the gage so that the plate may be properly positioned to be operated upon by one set of cutters, means for automatically resetting the gage as the relative position of the cutting mechanism and plate support is varied to bring another set of cutters into operative posi tion, and an adjusting device for varying the movement given the gage by the automatic resetting means in accordance with varying thicknesses of plates.

3. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head provided with two sets of cutters, of a plate support, shifting means for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operative position, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the gage carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, and means including connections to the shifting means for automatically resetting the gage as the relative position of the plate support and cutter head is varied to bring the other set of cutters into operative position.

4. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head provided with two sets of cutters, of a plate support, shifting means for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operative position, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the gage carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, and means including connections to the shifting means for automatically resetting the gage as the relative position of the plate support and cutter head is varied to bring the other set of cutter into operative position, said means also including an adjusting device for varying the movement given the gage in accordance with. varying thicknesses of plates.

In a plate trimming machine. the combination with a cutting mechanism provided with two sets of cutters, of a plate support, shifting means for 'arying the relative position of the cutting mechanism and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the gage carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters. a resetter, connections between the resetter and the gage carrier, and connections between the shifting means and the resetter, whereby the gage is automatically reset as the shifting means is operated.

(S. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head having two sets of cutters, of a plate support, shitting means tor varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, means for adjusting the gage carrier for causing the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, a resetter, connections between the reset-ter and the gage carrier, and connections between the resetter and the shifting means, whereby as the position of the plate support and cutter head is varied the gage is automatically reset, the connection between the shifting means and the resetter being adjustable for varying thicknesses of plates.

7. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head having two sets of cutters, of a plate support, shifting means for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the cutter to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, a

pivoted resetting arm, operating connections between the arm and the gage carrier, and connections from the shifting means to the arm attachable to the arm at varying dis tances from its center to enable the resetter to be operated in accordance with varying thicknesses of plates.

8. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head, of two sets of cutters, a plate support, shifting means including an actuator for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, a resetter, connections between the resetter and the gage carrier, and connections between the shifting means actuator and the reset-ter.

9. In a plate trimming machine, the com bination with a cutter head, of two sets of cutters, a plate support, shifting means including an actuator for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, a pivoted resetting arm, connections between the arm and the gage carrier, and connections between the shifting means actuator and the resetting arm, said connections being attachable to the arm at varying distances from its center.

10. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a cutter head, of two sets of cutters, a plate support, shifting means including an actuator for varying the relative position of the head and plate support to bring either set of cutters into operation, a gage carrier having a gage thereon, means for adjusting the carrier to cause the gage to indicate the proper position of the plate to enable it to be operated upon by one set of cutters, a pivoted resetting arm, operating connections between the resetting arm andthe gage carrier, a link, meanswhereby the link may be attached to the resetting arm at varying points in an are along its length, and means for connecting the link to the actuator at a point which is coincident with the center of the attaching are when. one set of cutters is in operative position with respect to the plate support.

11. In a plate trimming machine, the com.- bination with a cutter head provided with two sets of cutters, of a plate support,means including an actuator for shifting the position of the cutter head with respect to the plate support to bring either set of cutters into operative position, a sliding gage car rier, a pivoted gage thereon, a pivoted resetting arm, connections between the arm and the gage carrier, and a link connection between the resetting arm and the actuator, the link being attachable to the arm at varying points along the arc of a circle, and being attached to the actuator at a point coincident with the center of the attaching are when one set of cutters is in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENOIST S. REDD.

Vitnesses RICHARD KELLY, JOHN WVILLIAM JORDAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

